“All my life it has seemed strange to me that the vast majority of human beings are content with only hearsay accounts of the wonders found “through the microscope.” “…a microscope will reveal wonders a thousand times more thrilling than anything which Alice saw through the looking-glass.” -Dr. David Fairchild, The World Was My Garden

Dr. Fairchild’s words are at the core of our Education Philosophy. It is our mission to give learners of all ages the inspiration, interests and opportunity to connect with their environment, appreciate the beauty and value of nature, and promote environmental literacy and stewardship. Using the environment as an integrating concept, we offer a diversity of award-winning programs for school-age students, credit and non-credit courses for university undergraduates and graduates, professional development for educators, and life-long learning opportunities for adults. These programs are the result of cooperative efforts, led by seasoned educators on staff and involving input from program volunteers, teachers, students, science and curriculum specialists, research and horticulture staff and dedicated community partnerships. See our 2013-2014 Education Annual Report.

Explorer Program(K - 5)
Explore the diversity of Fairchild with your elementary students! Children and teachers enjoy interactive, hands-on field studies, a tour of our butterfly exhibit, and plant their own botanical souvenir. Learn more...

Discovery Program(6 – 12)
Facilitated activity stations serve as the focal point for a unique learning experience at Fairchild. Teachers use the Discovery stations as a basis to explore science, art and technology. Learn more...

Adventure Program(Pre-K – 12)
Independent school and scout groups can use the Garden as an outdoor classroom to implement their own curriculum, or can sign up to use one of our supplementary program modules with materials included. Learn more...

The Fairchild Challenge(Pre-K – 12)
Designed for students of diverse interests, abilities, talents, and backgrounds, The Fairchild Challenge is Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's environmental education outreach program for elementary, middle and high schools. Learn more...

Would you like to add inspiration and vibrancy to your paintings? Just one vivid painting can spark the personality of a room. Let our talented Ms. Zanetti teach you how to incorporate your inner feelings into new works or give existing ones a little boost.

Join the South Florida Palm Society and this month's speaker Jason Lopez, Living Collections Manager at Fairchild, for "People, Plants and Places," a photo travelogue of Jason's recent plant-collecting trip.

Do you have a plant in your garden that you aren't familiar with? Or, perhaps are looking to find out its origins and how it came to South Florida? If so, bring your specimen to Fairchild’s Herbarium and let our scientists uncover its secrets! Bring a cutting from your plant to Fairchild’s Herbarium team on the first Friday of every month at 1:00 p.m. and participate in our Plant Identification Workshop.

Do you have a plant in your garden that you aren't familiar with? Or, perhaps are looking to find out its origins and how it came to South Florida? If so, bring your specimen to Fairchild’s Herbarium and let our scientists uncover its secrets! Bring a cutting from your plant to Fairchild’s Herbarium team on the first Friday of every month at 1:00 p.m. and participate in our Plant Identification Workshop.

Would you like to add inspiration and vibrancy to your paintings? Just one vivid painting can spark the personality of a room. Let our talented Ms. Zanetti teach you how to incorporate your inner feelings into new works or give existing ones a little boost.

Join the South Florida Palm Society and this month's speaker Jason Lopez, Living Collections Manager at Fairchild, for "People, Plants and Places," a photo travelogue of Jason's recent plant-collecting trip.

Do you have a plant in your garden that you aren't familiar with? Or, perhaps are looking to find out its origins and how it came to South Florida? If so, bring your specimen to Fairchild’s Herbarium and let our scientists uncover its secrets! Bring a cutting from your plant to Fairchild’s Herbarium team on the first Friday of every month at 1:00 p.m. and participate in our Plant Identification Workshop.

Do you have a plant in your garden that you aren't familiar with? Or, perhaps are looking to find out its origins and how it came to South Florida? If so, bring your specimen to Fairchild’s Herbarium and let our scientists uncover its secrets! Bring a cutting from your plant to Fairchild’s Herbarium team on the first Friday of every month at 1:00 p.m. and participate in our Plant Identification Workshop.